Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-6 serum level was high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). In addition, ET-1 level was high in acute toxoplasmosis (7.29 ± 4.59 pg/mL) compared with controls (3.11 ± 1.69 pg/mL) (P < 0.01). In addition, MDA serum level was high (9.34 ± 4.17 nmol/mL) compared with controls (2.87 ± 1.13 nmol/mL), (P < 0.01). In acute toxoplasmosis IgM serum level was significantly correlated with IgG (r = 0.55, P = 0.001), IgA (r = 0.57, P = 0.0008), IL-6 (r = 0.45, P = 0.01), ET-1 (r = 0.51, P = 0.003) and MDA (r = 0.85, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Acute toxoplasmosis is associated with significant oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes which contribute to development of endothelial dysfunction
Background: Previous studies about the correlation of genetic polymorphisms in the multigene family of cyto- chrome P450 (CYPs), the effect of tobacco smoking, and the risk of developing cancer have been well in- vestigated in different populations, but not in Iraq. Furthermore, the studies of malignance occurrence re- lationship with cigarette tobacco smoking revealed the presence of strong association, however, little is known about the risk of Waterpipe (WP) tobacco smoking. Thus, determination two important genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1, a main member of CYPs, among Iraqi men was our first aim. This is the first study that highlights the correlation of CYP1A1 polymorphisms with the risk of lung cancer in Iraq. The second aim was to ev
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implants provide a unique treatment modality for the replacement of a lost dentition .This is accomplished by the insertion of relatively an inert material (a biomaterial) into the soft and hard tissue of the jaws, there by providing support and retention for dental prostheses. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective tool used to prompt bone repair and remodeling, this has referred to the biostimulation effect of LLLT. The Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inflammatory cells on osseointegration of CpTi implant irradiated by low level laser. Materials and Methods: thirty two adult New Zealand white rabbits, received titanium implants were inserted in the tibia. The right side is considered as experime
... Show MorePolyaniline films were successfully synthesized in this study using an oxidative polymerization method at temperatures ranging from 0 to 4 ° C. Polyaniline films were deposited using a single step of chemical oxidative polymerization rather than electrochemical polymerization. The polyaniline was examined using FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, and Four Point Probe. This result demonstrates that polyaniline synthesized using this method has a uniform morphology, small size (17 to 40) nm, high crystallinity, and high conductivity (9.42 s/cm).
Abstract: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infection in humans and a major cause of morbidity and they are the most common cause of hospital visits worldwide. Proper knowledge in identifying factors associated with urinary tract infection may allow the intervention to easily control of the disease in a timely manner. Therefore, the purpose of the study is determining the prevalence of UTI, diagnosis of causative bacterial agents and identifying the factors associated to the urinary tract infection among patients attending Medical City Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. A total of 237, morning mid-stream urine samples were collected aseptically and the samples were diagnosed according to the standard methods. I
... Show MoreThe aim of the research is to find out the nature of the relationship between the interrelationships and the interrelationships between risk management strategies (avoiding danger, risk exposure, risk exhibition, preventive programs and activities to reduce risks) and the dangers of container transportation, as an independent variable in the dangers of container transportation as a dependent variable, the study started from the problem that the company suffers from The practical aspect of the study was applied at the National Insurance Corporation, and the researcher designed a diagram according to the study's schematic diagram. The study, and for the purpose of data and information related to that, it relied on the descriptive a
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Many genetic factors are known to be related to osteoporosis, and currently the role of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) gene in bone health has been studied intensively. Some variation of this gene, such as rs1042044 and rs6458093, are known to be linked to metabolic diseases and lower bone mineral density, however their specific contribution to osteoporosis remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the combined genotypic effect of rs1042044 and rs6458093 as a genetic risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal Iraqi women.METHODS: Blood samples from 75 osteoporosis patients and 75 healthy controls, aged 45-85, were collected. DNA was extracted, and a region of GLP-1R
... Show MoreThis study was designed to look for certain biochemical markers(serum uric acid and serum peroxynitrite) in women presented with obesity and to compare the level of these markers with non-obese women. A total number of 63 women were recruited from outpatients and private clinics to admit in this study. The patients were grouped into non obese women (Group I) and obese women (Group II). The anthropometric and blood pressure were determined and venous blood was obtained from each patient for determination of C-reactive protein, uric acid and peroxynitrite. The results showed that there were no significant differences in age or in concomitant or associated diseases in both groups except rheumatoid arthritis which account 80% of group I and 25%
... Show MoreThe research was conducted between 2017 and 2019 at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences and Laboratory of Plant Tissue Culture for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad. One experiment used a totally random design. The experiment examined the effects of PEG (Polyethylene glycol) at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% on the development of three sunflower types (Ishaqi-1, Aqmar, and AL-Haja) exposed to UV-C rays for 40 minutes as a result of the growing of the juvenile peduncle outside the live body. The aim of the study was to better comprehend the physiological and biochemical changes caused by water stress on the callus of several sunfl