Background: Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that frequently causes low back pain (LBP). In addition to the discomfort of lower back pain, it can accompany pain in one or both legs. The lumbar spine and sacrum, consisting of five vertebrae and one bone, determine the spine's balance. Microelements are essential in bone metabolism and are associated with the prevention of osteoporosis and the alleviation of musculoskeletal pain. Objectives: To examine the correlation between lumbar spinal surgery and the concentrations of microelements, namely zinc and copper. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Ghazi Al-Hariri Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, during the period from October 2023 to January 2024. The study included 120 participants ranging in age from 18 to 70 years. Sixty participants underwent lumbar spine surgery and were diagnosed using X-rays or MRI scans. The other 60 were healthy controls. The zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in the blood were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The body mass index (BMI) was determined using the formula: BMIg/m2 = weight/height2. Results: The patients had a lower mean zinc level (57.3 ± 14.56 Mmol/L) and a higher mean copper level (106.6 ± 39.41 Mmol/L) in comparison to healthy controls (96.4 ± 17.38 Mmol/L) and (61.0 ± 9.53 Mmol/L), respectively There was a weak relationship and a significant correlation between copper and zinc (r = -0.2). A very strong relationship and a significant correlation between copper and Cu / Zn ratio (r = 0.85) while zinc had a significant very strong correlation relationship with Cu / Zn ratio (r = -0.7) in patients. Conclusion: The present study underscores the noteworthy association between microelements (Cu, Zn) and degenerative lumbar discs, underscoring the significance of pre-operative evaluation in achieving the best possible surgical results. The study has demonstrated the utility of measuring serum zinc level and copper level, especially their link with lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) markers of patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery.
During recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the investigation of the cytokines roles in pathogenesis of cancer, thus the study aimed at evaluating the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-?) in sera of Iraqi multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Beta 2-microglobulion (?2-m) was assessed to determine if there was any association between this cytokine and the level of ?2- m, as the latter is related to the stage of the disease. In addition, the age and gender were also taken into consideration. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between IgG and TNF-? in sera of patients. 49 Iraqi patients (27 males and 22 females).The patients were also divided into two groups: the first group included (17) patients who were
... Show MoreBackground: Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem of the world. Iron may be a part of the cause of the disease and its Complications
Objectives: This study was designed to determine the relationship between the levels of iron indices and diabetes mellitus type 2. Type 2
Type of the study: Cross –sectional study.
Methods: diabetes mellitus is clinical condition characterized by hyperglycemia due to the absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. It is also followed by pathological abnormalities like impaired insulin secretion, peripheral insulin resistance, and excessive hepatic glucose production. Although type 2 diabetes mellitus i
... Show MoreAbstract
Prescribing drugs to patients to treat ailments or reducing their morbidity may not be enough, even if the drugs were all indicated and in the right dose. Clinical pharmacists play a pivotal role in conducting information and instruction to patients and conveying feedback to treating physician when appropriate, and the final goal is in the interest of the patient. Identification and classification of drug related problems and discussing them with the health care providers. Prospective, interventional, clinical study for 180 hemodialysis patients, and was designed as two phases, an observational phase to identify drug related problems and classifying them according to the latest Pharmaceutical
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implant is one of the most important options for teeth replacement. In two stage implant surgery, a few options could be used for uncovering implants, scalpel and laser are both considered as effective methods for this purpose. The Aim of the study: To compare soft tissue laser and scalpel for exposing implant in 2nd stage surgery in terms of the need for anesthesia, duration of procedure and pain level assessment at day 1 and day 7 post operatively using visual analogue scale . Materials and methods: Ten patients who received bilateral implants participated after healing period completed, gingival depth over each implant was recorded and then implant(s) were exposed by either scalpel or laser with determination for th
... Show MoreObjective: To investigate and prove that aspirin
protects, or at least attenuates amikacin ototoxicity in
humans.
Method: This study was conducted in 60 patients that
completed all
requirements .The patients were divided into two
groups:
• Control group: receive placebo treatment.
• Drug–treated group: They receive aspirin
coated tablets (1.5gm/ day), 500mg 8 hourly.
Both groups had similar aspects regarding the gender,
age and weight. The duration of therapy was 7 days
and dosage of amikacin was 1gm/day (500mg 12
hourly).
Results: Comparison of Audiometry test in
Ear/Nose/Throat (E.N.T.) Department (Pure Tone
Audiometry) at 1000 Hertz (Hz), 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz,
and 8000 Hz showed sig
The role of relaxation program for reducing anxiety of patients in dental clinic
Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational program on nurses’ knowledge towards nursing management for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as to find out the relationship between nurses' knowledge and some of their demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of education, and years of experience in cardiac units).
Methodology: A Quasi-experimental as one group (pre and post test) study was conducted at the Heart Center in Al-Diwaniyah city for the period from December 7, 2019 to February 23, 2020. A sample of (40) nurses working in the heart center was chosen from different nursing addresses. The sample covered one gro
... Show MorePurpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal Aflibercept injection on wet AMD both functionally and anatomically after loading doses. The secondary aim is to evaluate the effect of risk factors including (gender, age, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes meatus) on the patient’s response. Study Design: Interventional case series. Place and Duration of Study: Al-Haitham Eyes Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from November 2021 and September 2022. Methods: Fifty eyes of 47 patients with treatment naïve wet AMD were selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected for age, gender, smoking, and chronic disease. Clinical examination, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography angiography
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