Background Several studies have addressed the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), among Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in different countries, and the potential association between the infection and PD; the results of these studies were conflicting. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among sample of Iraqi PD patients. Also, to examine the potential association of age, PD duration, gender, smoking habit, zone of residence and family history of PD, with the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in PD patients.

Patients and Methods Seventy-four PD patients attaining Dr. Saad Al-Witry Neuroscience Hospital in Baghdad/ Ir

     Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human pathogens in the world. Several studies that have investigated the correlation between H. pylori infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) found that H. pylori infection is more frequent in the patients, while the results of other studies were unclear. This paper aims to investigate the interrelation between the infection with H. pylori and type 2 DM in Dohuk governorate, Iraq. Eighty four diabetes patients (41 males, 43 females) and 92 healthy controls were involved in this study. H. pylori status was assessed in serum samples by using ELISA test.  Out of the 84 patients,

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a principle cause of microangiopathy and the main reason for kidney disease at the end stage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This work aimed to study the relation of pentosidine with kidney injury in the case of diabetic nephropathy. This study included 75 patients suffering from T2DM and 75 apparently healthy subjects. The patients group was divided into three groups ((normoalbumin, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria; 25 patients for each) on the basis of albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) . The level of serum pentosidine was determined using an ELISA kit. The level of pentosidine was found to be significantly higher in DN patients than in the healthy group. Also, the results revealed a str

The research aims to identify the level of psychological pollution in Iraqi society and the significant differences in psychological pollution in the Iraqi society according to variables. A sample of (600) individuals randomly selected from all governorates of Iraq, with (285) males and (315) females was used in the current study. The researcher adopted the scale of (Muhammad, 2004) psychological pollution consisting of (118) items, which limited (46) items after modification distributed into four areas: denial and abuse of the civilized identity, attachment to foreign formal aspects, effeminacy, and anarchism. The results of the research showed that there is no statistical significance among the individuals of the research sample. They

Background: Periodontitis is an infection attributable to multiple infectious; it causes an interrelated cellular and humoral host immune responses. Recent reports have indicated that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may contribute to pathogenesis of periodontitis. The HCMV can stimulate the release of cytokines from inflammatory and non-inflammatory cells and weaken the periodontal immune defense. This study aimed to reveal the presence of anti-CMV IgG, and determine the levels of IL‐6 and TNF-α and to correlate the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) with cytokines levels. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with chronic periodontitis and 40 healthy control subjects (their age and sex were matched with the patients) were involved

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Clopidogrel, antiplatelet drug, has been widely used for management of CAD. Arylesterase, the activity of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), is mainly contributed in the biotransformation of clopidogrel to its active thiol form. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of receiving clopidogrel drug on the arylesterase activities in CAD patients. The effect of receiving clopidogrel drug on the antioxidant activity of arylesterase was also monitored by determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Methods: One hundred CAD patients, who were followed-up for 5 days after reciving clopidogrel, and 50 healthy volunteers were included in our study

Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G)and Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9)play a role in the regulation of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory processes. Aim of the study: To detect the HLA-G + 3142G > C gene polymorphism that associated with the susceptibility to SLE patients and associated with Hepatitis B infection and TLR-9 serum level. Patients and methods: This study was done on 75 SLE patients and 75 healthy control groups. Genotyping of HLA-G + 3142G > C were detected by PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. In addition to the estimation of Hepatitis B surface (HBs)antigen status by immunochromatography technique and TLR-9 serum level by ELISA technique. Results: The HLA-G + 3142G > C gene polymorphism between the SLE patients and controls

Background: Serum adiponectin is a hormone of adipose tissue that activateslipid metabolism and exertsphysiological functions. Its level usually fluctuates in several metabolic diseases,including renal insufficiency and diabetes; it loses its protective role against diseases and becomes a potentially risk factor for erythroid abnormalities.

Objectives: The study was designed to assess the association between adiponectin  hormone, blood erythroid and various parameters in groups of patients.

Method:The study included 130 patientsand 42 healthy subjects. Parameters of serum adiponectin, erythropoietin (EPO), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), ren

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a global disease as it affects over 150 million people worldwide, a number that is supposed to be doubled by 2025. High glucose levels, in vitro, appear to raise the extent of LDL oxidation, and glycated LDL is more prone to oxidative modification.Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum level of vitamin E and lipid profile in patients with type II DM.Methods: This study involved 28 patients suffering from type II DM diagnosed 1-4 years ago and with age ranged from 17 -60 years old, with different residence around Basra ; In addition to 56 apparently healthy persons matched in age and sex to the patients as a control group. The medical histories were taken and Gene