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
Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have increased morbidity and mortality from premature cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). Framingham risk score (FRS) is a simplified coronary prediction tool developed to enable clinicians to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event and to identify candidate patients for risk factors modifications worldwide. The predictive ability of the FRS varies between populations, ethnic groups, and socio-economic status. The aim of this study is to find if there is any correlation between the Framingham risk score and the inflammatory and biochemical parameters used to measure disease activity and functional ability in Iraqi patients with active RA.
Certain bacterial and viral infectious agents may play a role in the activation of inflammation in atherosclerosis lesions. Epidemiological studies indicate that infectious agents may predispose patients to atherosclerosis as Infections have been associated with an increased risk of this disease. Moreover, a positive antibody status has been detected against some infectious organisms associated with atherosclerotic rupture. Infectious agents found in human atheroma, which may directly cause or accelerate atherosclerosis , include many pathogens but the present study focused on Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus surface antigen and C. In order to evaluate the possible association between H. pylori, HBV, and HCV infections and the risk of
... Show Morethe history of the Scouting movement reflects the global social cultural and technological change over more than a century. scouting aims to develop young people worldwide through educational programs based on specific principles and values. in arab countries, the scouting movement is considered one of the most important platforms contributing to developing young people and enhancing their rule. positive in society, began with the establishment of the first Scout camp in the region and witnessed great growth and prosperity over the decades the research reveals the historical roots and development of the scout movement in the leading arab countries and analyzes the positive impact of scout movement in the leading arab countries on the develo
... Show MoreBackground: Hashimoto's thyroiditis has been found to coexist with differentiated thyroid cancer in surgical specimens, but an association between the two conditions has been discounted by the medical literature. So, we performed this research to determine any potential relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the risk of developing differentiated thyroid cancer in clinical status. we assessed the related clinical factors linking these conditions, especially serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, family history of thyroid disease, gender& young age group. Aim of study: to determine that hashimoto’s thyroiditis increases risk for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Patients and method: This study is a Cross-sectiona
... Show MoreConstruction projects are characterized as projects with multi phases and activities, complex, unique, and have many different parties and stakeholders. Risks could appear at one or more of the construction project stages and may affect the achievement of project objectives. Therefore, one of the key elements in the planning phase of any project is the risk management process (RMP). This study attempts to understand the terminology of risk in general, risk management, and response to risk in particular. This study is mainly a review of thirty-eight studies that have been published between 1997 and 2020 that demonstrate the importance of the crucial phase of risk response from the risk management process and its impact on
... Show MoreThe process of risk assessment in the build-operate transfer (BOT) project is very important to identify and analyze the risks in order to make the appropriate decision to respond to them. In this paper, AHP Technique was used to make the appropriate decision regarding response to the most prominent risks that were generated in BOT projects, which includes a comparison between the criteria for each risk as well as the available alternatives and by mathematical methods using matrices to reach an appropriate decision to respond to each risk.Ten common risks in BOT contracts are adopted for analysis in this paper, which is grouped into six main risk headings.The procedures followed in this paper are the questionnaire method
... Show MoreBackground: Febrile convulsions are the most frequent type of seizures in children under 6 years of age. Significant percentage of these children will later suffer from recurrence of febrile convulsion.Objectives: To identify the main risk factors for recurrent febrile convulsions in children.Methods: we carried out a case control study involving 89 children those who experienced first attack of febrile convulsions and 92 children with recurrent attack of febrile convulsions. The study was conducted in Central Children Teaching Hospital, Baghdad during the period 2006- 2007. Results: Compared to children with first attack of febrile convulsion, children with recurrent seizures were younger at onset (4- 12m) (67% vs. 44%), mainly male (70
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