Introduction and Aim: Beta-thalassemia is a serious inherited genetic disorder and an increasing health burden globally. Beta -thalassemia is caused by genetic globin abnormalities within the hemoglobin beta (HBB) gene. This study aimed to characterize the HBB gene mutations in beta -thalassemia among southern Iraqi patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 beta -thalassemia patients referred to the Thi-Qar Center for Genetic Diseases, Iraq and 15 control samples from a random group of apparently healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood sample collected from each individual. The DNA was amplified for specific regions of the HBB gene and the amplified products sequenced. The sequences generated were analysed for

The Aaliji Formation in wells (BH.52, BH.90, BH.138, and BH.188) in Bai Hassan Oil Field in Low Folded Zone northern Iraq has been studied to recognize the palaeoenvironment and sequence stratigraphic development. The formation is bounded unconformably with the underlain Shiranish Formation and the overlain Jaddala Formation. The microfacies analysis and the nature of accumulation of both planktonic and benthonic foraminifera indicate the two microfacies associations; where the first one represents deep shelf environment, which is responsible for the deposition of the Planktonic Foraminiferal Lime Wackestone Microfacies and Planktonic Foraminiferal Lime Packstone Microfacies, while the second association represents the deep-sea environme

A geoelectrical investigation is carried out for a geological consideration in the Shewasoor dam site, which is situated 40 km northeast Kirkuk city. Symmetrical Schlumberger array were applied for fifteen electrical sounding (VES) points, with a maximum spread distance (120-200) meters. Seven vertical electric sounding (VES) points were surveyed in the main valley. Two (VES) points were taken at the area behind the dam, and two other points at the right side of the dam body. Additional four (VES) points measured at the left side within the spillway area. In order to achieve the qualitative and quantitative interpretations manual partial matching technique and (IPI2 WIN) (ID) software are used. The results show that the surface is compri

Basin analysis (geohistory) is carried out on the Cretaceous to Tertiary succession in five wells at Kirkuk and Bai Hassan Oil Fields during the Aptian to the Recent. The Foothill Zone exhibited a complex subsidence and uplift history over a period of about 132 Ma. The results from studied wells backstripping provide a record of the subsidence and uplift history in a number of important Meso-Cenozoic depositional successions. They show that there are three distinct episodes separated by unconformity surfaces. The value of compaction varies from large during the Cretaceous period to less clearly during the Paleogene and then almost non-existent during the Neogene. Generally, the subsidence is continuous and gradual during Mesozoic and sud

         A representative sample of a thousand volunteer university students was screened for evidence of thalassemia minor.Complete blood counts using automated blood cell analysers and blood smears were examined. Patients having anemia, abnormal red cell indices or morphological features of thalassemia minor like hypochromia, microcytosis, target cells erythrocytosis and family history of thalassemia were then investigated for determination of  HbA2 & HbF levels. Estimation of hemoglobin A₂ was performed by micro-column chromatography while HbF was done using alkali denaturation. Seventy seven out of the thousand samples tested positive for thalassemia minor. They all showed a hemoglobin A

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), including cefotaximases (CTX-M), mediate resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporins and significantly compromise the treatment tools for Shigellosis.

Objective: To determine the ESBLs production by Shigella spp. and its role in the resistance to third generation cephalosporins and to determine    the occurrence of   plasmid- borne   blaCTX genes in   ESBLS Shigella isolates by Multiplex PCR.

Methods: Susceptibility of 59 clinical Shigella isolates was tested by disk diffusion method to six antimicrobial agents. Presence of ESBL

Background: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disorders caused by cellular and humoral immune dysfunction from infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1 and HIV 2).
Patients and Methods: The study was carried out in Kirkuk governorate on 5090 secondary school students from different localities of the city, for the period from the beginning of October 2005 to the end of March 2006. A special questionnaire was applied for each student containing age, sex, class, parent’s education, mode of transmission & methods of prevention.
Results: There was no significant difference between male and female regarding the etiology of AIDS.The knowledge of secondary school students was

Endocrine Abnormalities in β-thalassemia major are common disturbing
complications, that need prompt management. Importance of this work was to
evaluate the some biochemical parameters and endocrine hormones related to
the pubertal maturity and fertility status in cases with thalassemia. A sixty patients
[38 males and 22 females] with β - thalassemia major against 30 healthy subjects
[17 males and 13 females] were enrolle . The Blood levels of, Leptin, Vitamin D,
thyroid function test, parathyroid hormone, ghrelin, and sex hormones were
determined in the blood. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also evaluate. Results
showed that besides lower BMI, all hormones assessed were significantly lower in
thalassemia β-major

Background: Arylesterase activity of Paraoxonase-1 (ARE-PON-1) exhibits an antioxidant role which protects lipoprotein from oxidation. It is known that ARE-PON-1 antioxidant activity associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the oxidative damage mediated by low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The present study was aimed to examine the level of serum ARE-PON1 in Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia minor and its relationship with lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and LDL-C) and hematologic changes as a part of antioxidant system action. Methods: In the present study, the ARE-PON-1 activity was investigated in serum of patients with β-thalassemia minor. Resu