The present study was set to investigate the potential association between the level of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), as a key component of the pro-inflammatory response, with different thalassemia’s biological and clinical features. For this purpose, one hundred fifty blood samples were collected from 100 beta-thalassemia patients, who attended the Genetic Hematology Centre at Ibn Al- Baladi Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, and 50 healthy subjects who were employed as a control group. IL-6 levels were estimated using an ELISA Kit, whereas other thalassemia-related clinical features (such as HbA, HbF, ferritin, blood transfusions, splenectomy status, and the history of frequent infection) were additionally assessed. The results of the present study showed a significant elevation (P≤0.01) in the levels of IL-6 in thalassemia patients as compared to healthy controls (57.7763± 8.94837 vs. 6.3059± 1.90364 pg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, IL-6 plasma levels seem to be influenced by the number of multiple scheduled blood transfusions, with the higher IL-6 mean level corresponding to the more frequent transfusions. Also, splenectomized thalassemia patients showed significantly higher IL-6 levels than those of non-splenectomized patients (61.2687±9.30688 vs. 56.9571±8.71926 pg/ml, respectively).
The nature and intensity of the association of myasthenia gravis (MG) with distinct human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes differ between ethnic populations, so this study determined the association of HLA class II antigens with myasthenia gravis (MG) in Iraq.The study included Iraqi patients diagnosed with MG and two control groups the first of 54 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients and the second of 237 subjects as a normal control group. The test used was microlymphocytotoxicity test.The work was done in the Teaching Laboratories/Medical City/Baghdad.Results: positive associations were observed (etiological risk factors) as follows: 1. HLA-DR locus showed one positively associated allele when compared to healthy control and th
... Show MoreEndothelin-I (ET-I) is one of the potent vasoconstrictors secreted from endothelial cells when needed. Many studies revealed the elevation of serum ET-I with human diabetes and microangiopathies. Since insulin resistance is a case of mixed diabetic and pre-diabetic cases, many risk factors beyond obesity and inflammation are proposed. The current study aims to demonstrate the association between serum ET-I and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sera of 73 subjects were enrolled currently (control= 35 subjects, and 38 with T2DM for more than 7 years), aged (40-60) years old, with distinct body mass index (BMI) ≤ 25 for control volunteers and (BMI) ≥ 25 for obesity and diabetes
... Show MoreHepatitis B infection is a prominent infectious disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), which infect liver and is considered as the main cause of liver cirrhosis, fibrosis and liver cancer worldwide. A pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin32 is believed to have a role in chronic HBV infections. Since its role in CHB infections is remain unclear, this study was done to detect IL-32 gene expression in CHB patients in order to identify its exact role. A total number of 110 blood samples were collected from Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital in Baghdad Medical City from CHB patients for both males and females with different age groups according to the research ethics form then sent to Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL),
... Show MoreBackground: The genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) have an association with thalassemia development, additionally to the environmental elements that elicited the disorder in the genetically predisposed individuals. As well, VDR functions responsible for the regulation of bone metabolism, such its part in immunity. Aim: The sitting study intended to inspect the association between thalassemia disease and the genetic polymorphisms of VDR among the Iraqi population then compared these findings to other findings of thalassemia patients in other different ethnic populations. Materials and methods: The restriction enzymes Bsm-I and Fok-I were applied to determine the genetic polymorphisms frequencies of VDR by a Polymerase Chain Re
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to assess nurse's knowledge and role in the management of thalassemic patients in the Sulaimania Thalassemia Centre. Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative approach to explore nurses’ knowledge about thalassemia through semi structured group interviews. Questionnaire was synthesized through a comprehensive review of literature. Results: The results show that nurses in Kurdistan region of Iraq have a limited role in terms of decision making and there is lack of nursing documentation other than that of recording abnormal events, and a lack of knowledge about and engageme